HIGHLIGHTS

Twitterati troll Smriti Irani after she's shifted out from HRD.

Irani refuses to comment on her ouster.

Passing GST Bill will be priority, says MoS Finance Santosh Gangwar.

A day after their induction, elevation and 'demotion' in the Cabinet and a clear message from the Prime Minister that he wants them to perform, the ministers in the revamped Team Modi got down to work today (June 6). It was former Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani who made h

A day after their induction, elevation and 'demotion' in the Cabinet and a clear message from the Prime Minister that he wants them to perform, the ministers in the revamped Team Modi got down to work today (June 6).

It was former Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani who made headlines of all the major national dailies and news websites. Irani, who will now head the textile ministry, was at the receiving end of the netizens who trolled her for the eventful two-year stint at the HRD.

However, Irani put up a brave face saying her new textiles portfolio signified the "faith" shown by the PM and the party in her capacity to perform.

"I am happy that I have been given an opportunity especially when a special package (of Rs 6,000 crore for the apparel segment) has been announced for the sector. This signifies that my party and especially the Prime Minister has faith that I have the capacity to implement the roadmap that was projected through the Cabinet for the rest of the country," Irani said.

Smriti Irani talking to reporters after taking charge of the textiles ministry.

Talking to reporters after taking charge of the new portfolio, she side-stepped questions about BJP president Amit Shah being behind her shift saying it is not individuals but the party who takes such decisions.

"Kuchh toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna (people are bound to say things because it is their job to say something)," was her reply when asked if she was moved out of the education ministry to give her more time to focus on next year's UP Assembly elections.

IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION BIGGEST CHALLENGE: JAVADEKAR

Prakash Javadekar, who took over the charge of the Ministry of Human Resource Development from Smriti Irani, said improving the quality of education was the "biggest challenge".

"Education provide meaning and value to life. The biggest challenge today is to improve the quality of education. Every parent work hard to send their children to school. Their only desire is that the children should get quality education," Javadekar said.

"Our job is to provide quality education and I'm hopeful that we will achieve it with the support of everyone. Modiji has a vision about education and we will work towards it," he added.

RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD ON UNIFORM CIVIL CODE

New Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that "comprehensive consultations" were required before taking steps towards a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Prasad made the comments after taking charge of the law ministry. He said there would be "comprehensive consultations with all the stakeholders" before moving towards the UCC.

Ravi Shankar Prasad talking to reporters after taking charge of the Law Ministry

Describing himself as an "old hand" in the ministry of law and justice, Prasad said this was his third stint, first being as a Minister of State in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and then when Modi took office in May 2014.

He said the government favoured strengthening the justice delivery system, transparency in the appointment of judges and their fast tracking, upholding the independence of judiciary and working in harmony with it and granting citizenship rights to Hindu migrants from Bangladesh.

PASSING GST BILL WILL BE PRIORITY: SANTOSH GANGWAR

Passing the GST Bill in Parliament will be the government's priority, minister of state for finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar said after taking charge of his office.

"We hope the GST (Goods and Services Tax) will be passed in the coming Monsoon Session. Our focus will be to expedite the process of growth," Gangwar told journalists.

Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar

Arjun Ram Meghwal, who also assumed charge as a minister of state for finance said, "We will like to speed up the process of economic growth and achieve the economic goals so that the benefit of economic development will reach the last mile."

EXCITED TO 'TAKE OFF' AT CIVIL AVIATION MINISTRY: JAYANT SINHA

Shifted out of the finance ministry, Jayant Sinha said he is excited to "take off" in his new role as the Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

After taking charge of his new portfolio, he met senior colleague Ashok Gajapathi Raju and other officials at the ministry.